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Anne Rupert, Director, Robinson Orchestra, is a 1989 graduate of the Eastman School of Music where she earned a Bachelor of Music with a double major in Instrumental Music Education and Cello Performance. At Eastman, she studied cello with Steven Doane and was a member of every major performing ensemble including the Heidelberg, Germany Schlosspiele Orchestra. She has completed additional graduate coursework at Duquesne University. Before her March 1999 appointment as the Music Director and Youth Symphony Orchestra conductor of the Youth Orchestras of Prince William, an ensemble she is still currently conducting, Mrs. Rupert taught for 10 years in the Fairfax County Public Schools where she was the Orchestra Director at Oakton High School, Rachel Carson Middle School and Franklin Middle School. Mrs. Rupert's orchestras consistently received Superior Ratings and Best Overall Orchestra Awards at District and National competitions in Chicago, Toronto, Orlando, Boston, Myrtle Beach, Gatlinburg, Atlanta, Hershey, Richmond and Williamsburg. In June 2006, Mrs. Rupert made her Carnegie Hall conducting debut when she took the YSO to New York City for a week-long tour culminating in a Gold Rating performance at Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Rupert is especially pleased to share that she has had 9 of her former Oakton High School students employed as Orchestra Directors in Virginia since their graduations from their respective colleges or universities! Mrs. Rupert is delighted to have returned to teaching in Fairfax County and is especially excited to be here at Robinson Secondary School.
Since 1989 Mrs. Rupert has been a member of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra cello section, has performed frequently as a free-lance cellist in the Washington D.C. Metro Area, has maintained a small private cello studio in her home and has recently been appointed Music Librarian of the FSO. Mrs. Rupert is the 1994 recipient of the American String Teachers Association Virginia Chapter "Outstanding Orchestra Director" Award. Beginning in 1994, Mrs. Rupert has served as guest conductor to many of the Junior and Senior Regional Orchestras across Virginia and North Carolina and has almost annually adjudicated at Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) District Orchestra Festivals across the state. Her other guest conducting engagements include: Levine School of Music, JMU Spring String Thing (1999), University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Summer Music Camp (1994, 1996), Franklin Band and Orchestra Camp (since 1993), and in 2000 she was named Director of Orchestras for the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute held annually at the Catholic University in Washington D.C. Mrs. Rupert holds active memberships with MENC, VMEA, NSOA, ASTA and SAA.
Mrs. Rupert lives in Clifton, VA with her husband Greg and their five sons, Benjamin, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Noah and Michael. She enjoys being an involved mom, Cub Scout leader, violin and cello practice partner, chauffeur and #1 fan when necessary. She thanks you for the opportunity to work with your children in this setting and appreciates your support of music in the public schools. Mrs. Rupert can be reached at 703-426-2143 or anne.rupert (at) fcps.edu.
Angela Ammerman, Director, Robinson Middle School Orchestra, String Ensemble & Concert Orchestra, earned her Bachelors of Music Education degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM); and her Masters of Music Education from Boston University. In the course of her studies Mrs. Ammerman has performed under the direction of distinguished conductors including James Levine, Erick Kunzel, Xian Zhang, Steven Coker, and Mark Gibson. She has performed with the CCM Concert Orchestra, CCM Chorale, and the Cincinnati Symphony Chorus. Concentrating in piano, Mrs. Ammerman studied with renowned pianists Michael Chertock of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Dr. Richard Morris. Additionally, Mrs. Ammerman studied music education theory and practice with authorities Dr. Lizbeth Wing, and McGraw Hill’s Multi-Cultural Specialist Dr. Rene Boyer. Finally, known for her encouragement, enduring positive attitude, and results-oriented instruction, Mrs. Ammerman’s private studio in Cincinnati, Ohio numbered over 50 string and piano students at one time!
Mrs. Ammerman’s studies and experience have laid the groundwork for her philosophy of music education: that Critical Pedagogy through music instruction provides students with a transformative and synergetic learning environment in which core classes (history, science, math, and language) are applied; students grow in knowledge, experience and leadership; and lives are enriched. With this purpose in mind, Mrs. Ammerman began her teaching career with Miamisburg (Ohio) Public Schools where she taught general music to grades K-6. In 2007 she and her husband relocated to Jacksonville, North Carolina. There she was appointed Music Director of Swansboro High School and Middle School orchestra programs. In the ensuing three years under Mrs. Ammerman’s leadership, the orchestra programs grew by 140%, and retention of students was maximized at 98%. During this time Swansboro orchestras regularly received superior ratings at festival; students received super ratings at solo and ensemble festival; students were selected to attend the Governor’s School for music, the North Carolina School of the Arts; and students were selected to participate in All-State and All-County orchestras. For all these things, Mrs. Ammerman was selected as the Swansboro Beginning Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Relocating to Stafford, Virginia with her husband, Mrs. Ammerman has been assigned as Orchestra Director of Robinson Secondary School’s String and Concert Orchestras; as well as Bonnie Brae Elementary School Orchestra Director. Here she is eager to take advantage of the area’s cultural surroundings and share her philosophy with students to guide them in their growth and studies. Above all, Mrs. Ammerman looks forward to helping students realize that music is a fun and culturally valuable activity that is for everyone’s enjoyment; that music is historically relevant, provides a lab for students to apply the scientific method, and is a global/universal form of self and group expression.
Mrs. Ammerman lives with her husband, Captain Allen Ammerman USMC, three dogs and a cat in Stafford. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, American String Teachers Association, and has contributed to the MENC Journal. In her free time, she enjoys running, watching The Office, visiting the monuments and historical sites in the area, shoe shopping, and (of course) practicing! |